Tailwater Pursuits

TVA dam releases create world-class trout fishing and whitewater paddling opportunities for kayakers and rafters. Here’s a guide to when and where to find them.

WARNING! Water release schedules can change without notice due to unanticipated weather changes or power system requirements. Large amounts of water could be discharged at any time. Use caution! Obey all posted safety regulations
and precautions! Vital safety information.

Boating, fishing and skiing are still the most popular types of recreation on TVA lakes. But more and more people are getting interested in the world of tailwater sports—such as kayaking, rafting and trout fishing—that can happen in the water
below the TVA dams.

To support these recreation activities, TVA posts a May-to-October schedule for recreational releases for the spots listed below:

Lake Info App

The Tug is the Drug

Trout fishing is good in the Tennessee Valley—particularly in the tailwater below South Holston Dam, which can match any fishery in the nation for monster trout. Learn more about it, as well as other Valley hot spots, along with our best advice
for making a big catch. Click here for trout secrets you won't soon forget.